All about Soapstone

The Ultimate Guide to Soapstone: Use, Care, and Character

Whether you’re drawn to the “old world” charm or a sleek, modern minimalist aesthetic, soapstone is a versatile material that fits perfectly in any home. Ann Marie DiTomaso, with years of experience designing hundreds of soapstone kitchens, shares her expert insights on why this stone is so unique.

Essential Soapstone Care

• Oiling: Unlike granite, soapstone is non-porous. Use food-grade mineral oil to bring out its deep, rich color. Simply coat a paper towel or cloth with a small amount of oil, wipe it on, and remove the excess. Keep the cloth in a Ziploc bag for easy reuse!
• Cleaning: Daily maintenance is simple. While hot soapy water works, soapstone is durable enough for Clorox wipes or even Windex to ensure your surfaces stay hygienic.
• The Patina: Don’t fear the “chalky” look! Soapstone naturally evolves. If you skip oiling, it will develop a light, matte patina. If you prefer the dark, deep look, just re-oil it. It’s an ever-evolving, beautiful feature of the stone.

Handling Scratches & Maintenance

Soapstone does scratch more easily than granite, but that’s part of its charm. Scratches become part of the stone’s history and patina. If a scratch bothers you, it is incredibly easy to fix:

Gently sand the area with **400-grit sandpaper** in a circular motion.

Wet the sandpaper and repeat.

Wipe clean with warm water.

Apply a small amount of mineral oil to blend the area.

Why Not Honed Granite?

Some may suggest that honing black granite gives you the same look for less money. This is a common misconception! Honing granite actually opens the pores and removes the protective resin finish, making the stone much more susceptible to permanent staining compared to the naturally non-porous soapstone.

Did You Know? Fun With Soapstone

Soapstone is remarkably temperature-resistant (up to 2800°F!), which opens up some fun possibilities:

Baking Assistant: Place a bag of ice on the counter while rolling out pie crusts—it keeps the dough perfectly cool and prevents sticking!

Culinary Chops: Create custom ice cream treats by chilling a section of the counter and chopping toppings directly on the stone.

Temperature Retention: Use the counters to keep hot dishes warm during dinner prep or carving, as the stone retains heat beautifully.

Whether you’re looking at Amazonas Black, Dorado Minas, or the unique movement of Anastasi, soapstone offers a living, breathing design element that improves with age.